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Review of Barbara Walsh missing person case welcomed – Ó Clochartaigh

The decision by An Garda Siochána to review the thirty year old investigation into the disappearance of Barbara Walsh from her home in Carna, Connemara, in 1985 has been welcomed by Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh.

Speaking today the Sinn Féin Senator, who himself is from the Carna area, says:

“The Walsh family, who I know well, want to find out what happened to their mother. She was reported missing from her home in Rusheenamanagh, Carna on the 29th June 1985, having last been seen at a party in her home on the 22nd June that year and has been on the missing persons list ever since.

“Mrs. Walsh, the mother of a young family, was 33 at the time of her disappearance. It came to my attention that the Gardaí were making inquiries into her disappearance once again and I asked Chief Superintendent Tom Curley for clarification.

“He has confirmed to me that -‘this case has always remained open and was never closed. As part of the ongoing and continual review process of all outstanding serious investigations from within the Galway Garda Division the Chief Superintendent has directed that this particular investigation be reviewed at this time. This investigation is not subject to a ‘Cold Case’ review and it is being conducted by officers from the Galway Garda Division.

“He also told me that ‘As part of this review a number of new lines of enquiry have been generated and a significant amount of information has been gleaned as a result’.

“He concluded that ‘As this is very much a live and ongoing investigation it would not be appropriate to disclose specific details of any information gleaned as a result of the current review’.

“I welcome this review and sincerely hope that it will indeed shine a light on the disappearance of Barbara Walsh. I would expect that the investigation will be prompt, thorough and might finally bring closure to the family of Barbara Walsh who have been distraught ever since they lost her’.